Spring 1992, Volume 17, Number 3 - Association of Schools and ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Ethics in Optomelric Education and Practice Richard L. Hopping, O.D., D.O.S. The New England College of Optometry and its predecessor institutions have developed a rich heritage over the 96 years of its existence, and that has come about because of the distinguished faculty and presidents who have gone before you. They each believed in this institution and struggled with faith and courage to bring it to its present position. They contributed to the furtherance of a dream, and today the mantle of presidential leadership is being placed fully on Dr. Clausen's shoulders to further continue that dream. Institutions of higher education do not grow by themselves but are built and developed by the faculty and leaders who believe in them. I have every confidence that NEWENCO is in good and capable hands and that under your leadership this institution will move into a new era of excellence. As president, you have the responsibility for the general welfare of this institution and for those students who will become your graduates. Your graduates must leave your care and guidance professionally competent, socially conscious and community oriented. As President Abraham Lincoln said, "Upon the subject of education, I can Dr. Hopping is president of the Southern California College of Optometry. only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in." Indeed, my 18 years in optometric education have continually reinforced my belief in that concept. However, it was President Theodore Roosevelt who said, 'To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate Thus, professions are given, by law, a high degree of autonomy on the theory that only those in the profession have the competence to regulate it. a menace to society." From these statements one can see quickly that the presidency of an educational institution is an awesome obligation that words cannot fully describe. Dr. Christensen, as president of this college of optometry, must accept the challenge and responsibility of helping NEWENCO's students and the practitioners in the profession to address the issues of professional ethics. It is the duty of each of us in optometric education to foster in our students the ability to recognize their ethical choices and to enhance their capability for making the right decisions. Actions taken by today's optometric administrators will help to determine the future of our profession and its direction as we move toward the 21st century. Our responsibility is great as we provide guidance to our students and graduates and instill in them high ethical values along with a strong social commitment that the true professional person must have. Perhaps with all the present changes currently taking place in health care, we may need to define just what a true professional is. A few years ago, Dr. Harold Enarson was the commencement speaker at SCCO. Dr. Enarson delved into the meaning of the word "professional." He offered many ideas, but the one that affected me most keenly was taken from William McGlothin's book, The Professional Schools. The distinguishing addition was the consideration that a profession is given monopoly privileges to largely control its own work. Thus, professions are given, by law, a high degree of autonomy on the theory that only those in the profession have the competence to regulate it. It is assumed that the professional person can be trusted to function with a higher degree of autonomy once a public authority, through governing mechanisms such as licensure, authorizes the privilege of practice. This precious gift of trust is based on the belief that professionals live by a demanding code of ethical behavior. Now it becomes even more clear why ethics is so critically important, and why it is necessary to ensure that the optometrist practices in an ethical manner. If we as professionals are to retain the privilege of autonomy to govern our own profession, it is imperative that we fully accept this responsibility and not misuse that privilege. Over the years, many have tried to take this privilege from us, and we have won some battles and lost a few. We must not lose any more. Edward Bacon, in his Design of Cities, states, "We are in danger of losing one of the most important concepts of mankind, that the future is what we make it. Our greatest challenge, therefore, is to control our own destiny; this should 76 Optometric Education
e our greatest desire." The will to control the ultimate destiny of optometry must be instilled in the students of today while they are under your nurturing care. The strength of our profession is and will continue to be equal to the number of optometrists times their will. The question is whether we, as optometric administrators and educators, can sufficiently instill that will in our students while they reside in our institutions. We must impress upon them the value of ethical leadership so that our profession will be continually mindful of the great responsibility that optometrists have as they provide the vision care for the people of this nation. The health care professions are rightfully expected to adhere to a higher code of ethics and standards than do those in other occupations. This is the price that optometry as a profession must pay for the privilege of self-determination and selfpolicing. It must be understood that, as was so aptly stated by a famous son df this Commonwealth, President John R Kennedy, "For of those to whom much is given, much is required." Therefore, it follows that NEWENCO graduates, in completing a fine optometric education, must fully accept the mantle of the health professional upon their shoulders, and that acceptance will "For of those to whom much is given, much is required." —President John F. Kennedy require a firm commitment to ethical principles. As president of the College, Dr. Clausen, you have a most definite responsibility to guide your students and to help establish the standards and goals for faculty as they teach the necessary professional skills. You also have a responsibility to create a sensitivity to all people with differing values while assisting your students to recognize and better understand the complex community and social problems that exist in our real world. As you set the tone of your administration, you will be faced with considerable decision making. Your example of ethical decision making will set the tone and standards under which your administration, faculty, students and even the board of trustees of the college will operate. But along with demonstrative examples of your own ethical behavior, ethics must be taught in the classroom. Although for many years it was my belief that ethical standards were established in childhood and were not acquired later in life, I have become convinced that educators have an awesome and continuing responsibility to instill in their students the ability to develop moral standards and to assist students in establishing their own personal standards as well as those expected of a health care professional. Your students will be influenced and The Secret to Perfect Imaging.. Volk Pan Retinal 2.2 & 78D Lenses With superior Double Aspheric optical design, the Pan Retinal 2.2 and 78D lenses provide a unique combination of field of view and magnification producing expansive retinal images with stunning brilliance and clarity. • The 78D delivers high magnification and a wider field of view than any other non-contacting slit lamp lens available. • The Pan Retinal 2.2, with its high resolution and wider field of view, is quickly becoming the preferred general diagnostic indirect ophthalmoscopy lens. MOIK The Leader in Aspheric Optics 7893 Enterprise Drive, Mentor, Ohio 44060 Phone: (216) 942-6161 • Fax: (216) 942-2257 (800) 345-VOLK Volk Pan Retinal 2.2 & 78D Lenses can be purchased individually or in a combination set by contacting any authorized Volk distributor or by calling Volk direct.
Page 1 and 2: ipiomciry •I i •.' I Volume 17,
Page 3 and 4: OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION ISSN 0098-6917
Page 5 and 6: order to develop: A) a structured c
Page 7 and 8: OPHTHALMIC NDUSTRY N Companies appe
Page 9 and 10: Ethics and Educational Leadership O
Page 11: ethical values held in common by He
Page 15 and 16: efine the intellectual dignity and
Page 17 and 18: Industry News (continued from page
Page 19 and 20: Abstract Optometric educators have
Page 21 and 22: How the VEC Benefits the School of
Page 23 and 24: Optometric Externships At Southern
Page 25 and 26: ole of mentor with enthusiasm and s
Page 27 and 28: Long Range Goals TABLE 1 Goals of a
Page 29 and 30: Name Address Phone ; Date of Birth.
Page 31 and 32: RESOURCES NREV The Eye in Systemic

Spring 1992, Volume 17, Number 3 - Association of Schools and ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?